Automatic switch for pneumatic-tube apparatus.



I. W. LITCHPIELD.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH POB PNBUMATIG TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 28, 1906.

Patented Aug. 3o, 1910.

1H: Nmmls FETERS ca., wAsmNcrrcN. n. c.

UNITED s'ra'ras 'PATENT onirica.

ISAAC W. LITCHFIELD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO LAIVISON CONSOLI- DATEI) STORE SERVICE COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

Application filed November 28, 1906. Serial No. 345,456.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Tsi-mo 2N. LrrCHFIELD, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inv Automat-ic Switches for Pneumatic-Tube Apparatus, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic switches for pneumatic despatch tube apparatus and its object. is to provide a simple and eective device for diverting or switching the carriers through the different branch tubes of said apparatus to their proper destination.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure l is a vertical section showing a selective carrier in operating contact with the switching mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of Fig. l with valve and receiver removed.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

B represents a casing connecting at each end with the main or transmission tube A.

C represents a branch tube connecting with the casing B and controlled by the valve D pivoted at D. Pivoted in the chamber E of the casing B at E is a switch arm E2 normally held in the full line position as shown in Fig. l by means of a helical spring E3. Pivoted to the switch arm E2 by the pin E* is a selective trigger E5 which is adapted to maintain a normal position as shown in full lines Fig. l. The movement 'of the trigger E5 is limited in relation to the switch arm E2 by a pin or stop E fixed to said switch arm. At the rear of the switch arm E2 mounted in the chamber E and fixed to casing B is an arm F having a laterally projecting stop or member F adapted to cooperate in certain relative positions of the switch arm E2 and the trigger with a laterally projecting lip E7 on the trigger Opposite the switching mechanism is a chamber G in which is pivoted at one end on the pin G a lever G2, the opposite end of said lever G2 projecting into the path of and adapted to engage and hold the carriers in engagement with the switching mechanism. Tension is applied to the lever G2 by a helical spring G4 mounted over the pin G', one end of said spring fixed to the lever G2, the opposite end being adapted to be posite the switch arm E2 which is held in the normal or diverting position by a spring E3 as heretofore described. The projection on the carrier engages the selective trigger which causes the lip E7 toy be lifted to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. l, engaging the lip F before the buffer of the carrier strikes the switch arm E2. The switch arm E2 is now locked in the diverting position preventing the movement of the switch arm E2 by the impact of the carrier. In the meantime, the carrier is held in engagement with the switching mechanism by the tension of the lever G2. The carrier is now switched into the branch tube C through the valve D. After the passage of the carrier, the switching mechanism immediately resumes its normal or unlocked position. lf an ordinary carrier without the selective projections is in transit in the tube A, the buffer on the carrier engages the switch arm E2 before striking the selective trigger E5 thereby causing the switch arm E2 to swing back to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. l and permitting the carrier to pass directly through the main transmission tube A. In the meantime, the carrier is held in operating engagement with the switch arm E2 by means of the tension of lever G2. After the passage of t-he carrier, the switching mechanism resumes its normal position.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, what I claim as new and desirel to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. ln an automatic switch for pneumatic despatch apparatus, switching means adapted to permit the passage of an ordinary carrier, locking means adapted to be operated by a selective carrier for locking said switching means in a diverting position for switching said carrier, and means in the path of the traveling carriers for holding said carriers in operating contact with said switching means.

2. In an automatic switch for pneumatic despatch apparatus, switching means adapted to permit the passage of an ordinary carrier, locking means adapted to be operated by a selective carrier for locking said switching means in a diverting position for switching said carrier, and yielding means for holding said carriers in operating contact with said switching means.

3. In an automatic switch for pneumatic despatch apparatus, switching means normally held in diverting position and adapted to permit the passage of an ordinary carrier, means adapted to be operated by a selective carrier for locking said switching means in diverting position, and means in the path of the traveling carriers for holding said carriers in operating position.

4. In an automatic switch for pneumatic position, projecting means located on the buffer of a selective carrier and adapted to operate said locking means to switch said selective carrier, and a spring actuated lever.

in the path of the traveling carriers for holding said carriers in operating Contact with said switching means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IbAAC IV. LITCHFIELD.

Witnesses:

FRANK A. SEILE, E. M. WRIGHT. 

